Ultimate View-Master Viewers

I've got a lot of View-Master 3D photo reels around, and when my friends around my age instinctively pick up a reel and drop it into a viewer, they are often astonished at the lifelike realism of the photography in those tiny little pictures. Many had forgotten just how breathtaking the View-master experience can be. Most of the reels from my childhood were of flat cartoon characters that floated in flat layers, but the reels I pick up now are of scenic vistas, and 3D story-telling dioramas built specifically for View-Master reels. It's easy to forget that there was a time that View-Master reels were originally intended for the whole family.

The key to getting the most stunning 3D viewing experience is to get abundant light to shine through the reels. Most of the commercial viewers are okay; my favorite is one that was only in production for a relatively short time that looks much like a big eyeball. When you're ready to get serious about looking through (and I do mean "through"! </rimshot>) your collection you can upgrade to viewers from 3D Concepts. These viewers have all the trimmings - adjustable interocular (distance between the eyes) lenses, improved optics, various magnifications, even daylight-balanced light sources built in. They look pretty chic too, and they should as models range between $200-400.

I'm anxious to check one of these viewers out, even in the shadow of the recent news that View-Master will no longer manufacture scenic reels. That's a real misfortune because most of my guest's favorite reels end up being the breathtaking photos of nature's majesty. I guess that new View-Master reels will be aimed only at children from now on.

3D Concepts catalog page with their advanced View-Master viewers

related:

The View-Master Never Left Us
View-Master 3-D Trivia Quiz
Talking View-Master